Bag holder and storage organizer

ABSTRACT

An organizer for plastic bags, which stores, dispenses and provides a stand to hold plastic bags for disposing trash. In one aspect, the organizer includes a support structure that holds plastic bags in an open manner to allow disposal of trash. In one embodiment, a lid is provided to cover the opening of the plastic bag. The support structure may extend from a base structure, which may comprise a bag storage container or a support for sundry items. In another aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes the combination of a bag holder and a container that stores and dispenses plastic bags. The storage container supports the bag holder, and may include a structure that supports other items, such as sundry items like cleaners. In a further aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes the combination of a bag storage and a dispensing container, without the bag holder.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/623,998, filed on Jul. 21, 2003, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/084,207, filed on Mar. 18, 2005, and U.S.Design Patent Application No. 29/253,359, filed on Feb. 3, 2006. Theseapplications are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an organizer for bags, and moreparticularly to plastic bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic bags are commonly used to package various types of consumergoods, such as food and related products, for ease in transporting thegoods. Consumers then often save their plastic bags for reuse as trashbags, for example. However, storage of used plastic bags is oftencumbersome. Also, it is difficult to maintain plastic bags in a compactform due to its resilient nature. As such, used plastic bags requiremore storage space than paper bags.

Storage containers have been developed to facilitate storage of usedplastic bags. Copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/623,998,commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses acontainer that is of a compact space-saving profile that isaesthetically appealing. The container is configured to facilitatestorage of the plastic bags in an organized fashion and to minimizeentanglement of the plastic bags with each other. In one embodiment, thecontainer includes a funnel-shaped aperture. The wider end of theaperture confronts the outer side of the container, and the narrower endis disposed within the container. The funnel-shaped aperture facilitatescollapsing the plastic bags into a compact form for insertion of theplastic bags into the container. The container is designed to be mountedto a vertical surface, such as underneath or inside a cabinet. The lowprofile of the container minimizes the space occupied by the containerwhen mounted underneath or inside the cabinet. Copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/084,207, commonly assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention, discloses a free-standing version of the bagstorage container. The storage container stores and dispenses plasticbags for future reuse. The plastic bags may be retrieved from thestorage container to be reused for various purposes, including liningtrashcans. However, this would require separate trashcans, taking upadditional space in kitchens, for example.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,416 to McAllister discloses a bag storage andholding apparatus for recyclable or disposable bags. According toMcAllister, the apparatus has a receptacle for storing handle bags forfuture use. The receptacle has a wide open top, and a bottom opening. Oneach end of the storage receptacle is a rotatably mounted side arm,which can swing up or down. When the arms are in a horizontal position,the apparatus is positioned for receiving a handle bag and maintainingit in an open position. Each side arm has handle-engaging means forretaining the bag in an open position for receipt of refuse. Thisapparatus eliminates the need for a separate trashcan. However, due tothe open configuration, the apparatus is not suitable to hold waste suchas food scraps in the kitchen. There is no means to prevent odor fromemanating into the environment, or pests from visiting the waste held inthe bag, which therefore places hygiene in question. Further, theMcAllister apparatus is not configured to facilitate storage of plasticbags in an organized fashion and to minimize entanglement of the plasticbags with each other. Further, it does not provide a structure foradditional organizer functions. For example, there is no provision forsupporting sundry items.

It is therefore desirable to have a bag storage and holder that is of acompact space-saving, hygienic design, which provides for organized bagstorage and other items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an organizer for plastic bags.

In one aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes a supportstructure that holds plastic bags in an open manner to allow disposal oftrash. In one embodiment, a lid is provided to cover the opening of theplastic bag. The support structure may extend from a base structure,which may comprise a bag storage container or a support for sundryitems.

In another aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes a bagholder and a container that stores and dispenses plastic bags. Thestorage container supports the bag holder, and may include a structurethat supports other items, such as sundry items like cleaners.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes abag storage and a dispensing container, without the bag holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should bemade to the following detailed description read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like referencenumerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an organizer in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a side view thereof, the opposite side being a mirror imagethereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof, showing the lid thereof in anopened position from a closed position; and

FIG. 8 is another perspective view thereof showing support of a plasticbag by the organizer.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an organizer in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described below in reference to various embodimentswith reference to the figures. While this invention is described interms of the best mode for achieving this invention's objectives, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may beaccomplished in view of these teachings without deviating from thespirit or scope of the invention.

The present invention is directed to an organizer for various types ofbags. The organizer is particularly suited for organizing the use,storage and/or dispensing of plastic bags, including, but not limitedto, new or used bags made from polyethylene, such as those used in thegrocery industry for packaging products for ease in carrying. Forpurposes of illustrating the principles of the present invention and notby limitation, the present invention is described by reference toembodiments directed to an organizer for storing and dispensing usedgrocery type plastic bags. Other types of bags may be used to takeadvantage of the inventive organizer, as is apparent from the disclosurebelow.

In one aspect of the present invention, the organizer includes a bagholder having a support structure that hold plastic bags in an openmanner to allow disposal of trash. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anorganizer 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof; FIG. 3 is a front viewthereof; FIG. 4 is a rear view thereof; FIG. 5 is a top plan viewthereof; and FIG. 6 is a side view thereof (the opposite side being amirror image thereof). In this illustrated embodiment, the organizer 10includes a bag holder section 12 and a bag storage section 14. As willbe noted below, the bag holder section 12 and the bag storage section 14are separate aspects of the organizer in accordance with presentinvention. They may be integrated in an organizer, or implementedseparately. However, for ease of disclosure, the bag holder section 12and the bag storage section 14 are illustrated together in the figures.

In one aspect of the invention, the bag storage section 14 is omitted,as it is not essential to the function of the bag holder function. Thebag storage section 14 will be described separately below. The bagholder section 12 includes a support frame 11, including a pair ofvertical frame sections 16 and 17 and a pair of cross frame sections 18and 19, which may be welded or otherwise rigidly attached to form thesupport frame 11. While the pair of vertical frame sections 16 and 17and the pair of cross frame sections 18 and 19 are respectively shown asparallel structures, it is understood that the number of vertical and/orcross frame sections may be different, to form a rigid support frame 11of the bag holder section 12. The support frame 11 also includes a bagsupport bracket 15, which is in the shape of a closed loop, orientedhorizontally at the top end of the support frame 11. The orientation ofthe bag support bracket 15 may be at an angle to the horizon, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The bagsupport bracket 15 is sized and shaped to receive a plastic bag (e.g., astandard grocery bag) through the central space or opening 13 defined bythe bag support bracket 15. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 8, the outlineof the plastic bag 22 is shown in dotted lines, showing the placement ofthe plastic bag 22 in the bag holder section 12, with the plastic bag 22received through the opening 13, and the top section near the opening ofthe plastic bag 22 supported by the bag support bracket 15. It isunderstood that the bag support bracket 15 does not need to take theshape of a close loop. It can be an open loop, or simply a pair ofbracket members extending from the back of the bag holder section 12(not shown).

The ends of the top cross frame section 18 are bent (e.g., at 90degrees, or a smaller angle), to extend to a handle 20 at each end.Referring also to FIG. 3, each handle 20 includes an “ear” or tab, whichacts as an anchor 21 around which a part (e.g., a closed loop shapedhandle) of a plastic bag may be strapped to securely hold the plasticbag in the bag holder section 12. The anchor 21 may have a generally ahalf-round shaped flap extending downwardly, creating an invertedU-shaped section having a channel 23 when view from the front of the bagholder section 12, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring also to FIGS. 3and 8, the handles 24 of the plastic bag 22 are secured around theanchors 21 on both sides of the bag holder section 12. The anchors 21act as hooks, to which the looped handles 24 of the plastic bag 22 aresecurely anchored along the channel 23 formed by the U-shaped section ofthe handle.

The vertical distance between the cross frame section 18 and the bagsupport bracket 15 may be chosen in relation to the dimension of theplastic bag 22, such that when the handles 24 of the plastic bag 22 areanchored by the anchors 21, the plastic bag 22 is supported in a hangingfashion by the bag support bracket 15, with its handles 24 pulled overthe bag support bracket 15. When content is added to the plastic bag 22,under the weight of such content, the plastic bag 22 would hang over thebag support bracket 15, with the handles 24 maintained taut by theanchors 21 as the plastic bag sags under the weight of its content(and/or if sufficient clearance is provided at the bottom end of the bagholder section 12). Alternatively, the vertical distance may be chosensuch that under the weight of the content, the handles 24 of the plasticbag 22 are not maintained taut by the anchors 21, and the plastic bag 22rests on a support surface if such is provided and is high enough at thebottom end of the bag holder section 12. If a support surface isprovided, a bag without handles (e.g., a paper bag) may be used with thebag support section 12, by resting the bag on such support surface,within the confines of the opening of the bag support bracket 15. Theopening of such bag may be folded over the bag support bracket 15, toallow closure of the lid disclosed below.

Holes 26 are provided in the cross frame sections 18 and 19, tofacilitate attaching the organizer to a vertical surface, such as awall, furniture, or the outside or inside of a cabinet, using screws orbolts. Other types of attachment may be deployed, such as gluing orbonding the back of the cross frame sections to the attachment surface,such as using double-sided tape.

To provide a closure to the opening of the plastic bag 22 as supportedby the bag support bracket 15, a lid 30 is provided to cover the opening13 of the plastic bag 22. Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the lid 30 maybe supported by a hinge 32. The hinge 32 may include a bar 33, which ispart of the bag support bracket 24, about which the lid 30 rotates.Alternatively, the hinge 32 may include a bar 33 attached to the lid 30at its edge as shown, and the bar is support by the bag support bracket24 to pivot. FIG. 7 shows the lid 30 in its opened position, from itsclosed position indicated by the dotted outline in FIG. 7, or as shownin FIG. 1. The lid 30 may be sized and shaped with a lip 33, whichcovers over the portion of the plastic bag 22 support at the bag supportbracket 15, to provide a decent closure to prevent or reduce odor fromescaping from the content of the plastic bag, or pests from getting tothe contents.

The basic organizer described above, could be adapted for use with onlythe bag holder section 12 without the bag storage section 14 shown inthe figures. For example, the bag holder section 12, without the bagstorage section 14, could be attached to the side of an office desk toprovide a space-saving, aesthetic, convenient trash collection stand, ascompared to a more bulky, or blocky, conventional trashcan. Ordinary,everyday, plastic grocery bags may be reused for collecting trash.

In another aspect of the present invention, the organizer includesintegrated bag holder and bag storage container. As shown by theillustrated embodiment, the bag storage section 14 supports the bagholder section 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag holder sectionextends upward from the rear side of the bag storage section 14. The bagstorage section 14 includes a bag storage container 40 that isstructured to facilitate storage of the plastic bags in an organizedfashion and to minimize entanglement of the plastic bags with eachother. Referring to FIG. 4, the bottom ends 48 of the vertical framesections 16 and 17 of the bag holder section 12 are attached to the rearof the container 40, by a suitable detachable joint (e.g., interferencefit joint, dovetail joint, etc.) or a permanent fastening means, such asgluing, welding, bonding, bolts, screws, etc.

The structure of such a plastic bag storage container is based oncertain inventive aspects of the bag storage container concepts earlierdisclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/623,998 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/084,207, which have been fullyincorporated by reference herein. However, the bag storage container ofthe present invention improves on the earlier disclosed structures inseveral aspects, as will be noted below.

Unlike the embodiments earlier disclosed in the copending patentapplications, the bag storage container 40 includes a generallyelongated or cylindrical, horizontally oriented body, which has twofunnel-shaped apertures 42 that facilitate insertion of plastic bags,each having a wider end 43 and a narrower end 44 (also shown by dottedlines in FIG. 3). The container 40 further includes an elongated slotshaped opening 46 in the front of the organizer, which forms a wideopening that facilitates dispensing plastic bags stored in the container40. By providing mirrored apertures 42 on both ends of the container 42,the organizer 10 may be installed in more orientations. For example, ifthe organizer 10 is to be installed in an undersink cabinet, it may beattached to the left or right interior wall, with one of the apertures42 facing towards the front of the cabinet. Similarly, if the organizer10 is to be installed on the outside of a kitchen cabinet, it may beattached to a “left” or “right” wall.

The purposes of the funnel-shaped apertures 42 and the elongated opening46 are similar to the corresponding structures in the previousembodiment. As in the embodiments earlier disclosed in the copendingpatent applications, the wider end 43 of the aperture 42 confronts theouter side of the container 40, and the narrower end 44 is disposedwithin the container 40. The funnel-shaped aperture 42 facilitatescollapsing the plastic bags into a compact form (e.g., into a ball orclump) as they are being inserted into the container 40. Specifically,in operation, the user inserts bags into the container 40 via either oneof the funnel-shaped apertures 42. As the bags pass from the wider end43 of the aperture 42 through the narrower end 44, the funnel shape ofthe aperture 42 manipulates and collapses the bags into a compact form(e.g., a ball or clump) that allows the bags to fit compactly within thecontainer 40. The user is not required to first manipulate the bags intoa compact form (e.g., roll the bag into a ball or clump) beforeinsertion into the container 40. As more bags are inserted into thecontainer 40 through the funnel-shaped aperture 42, the walls of thecontainer 40 facilitate stacking the bags in their collapsed form in anorganized manner so that there is reduced entanglement of the bags witheach other upon dispensing. As such, entanglement of the bags isminimized. The wide dispensing opening 46 allows for easy access to thebags. The user can dispense bags individually from the container 40 byaccessing the bags from the front access opening 46 at the front panel40. The bags can be individually dispensed from the container 20 sincethe bags are stored in a stacked and organized fashion. Furtherelaboration of the structures may be referenced in the copending patentapplications noted above.

As noted before, the organizer 10 may be structured with a desiredheight of the bag holder section 12 in relation to the particulardimensions of the bags designed to be used with the organizer 10. Thebag storage container 40 may function as a base that supports theplastic bag 22 held by the bag holder section 12, as shown in FIG. 8. Itmay also function in addition or in the alternative, as a structure thatsupports other items, such as sundry items like kitchen cleaners, whenthe bag is not installed. To facilitate these functions, the container40 is provided with a shallow pan or trough 48 at the top of thecontainer 40, facing the bag storage section 12. The trough 48 has araised periphery rim 49, which provides a boundary to facilitateconfining the plastic bag or items such as detergent bottles or canswithin the trough.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the organizer includesonly the bag storage section 14 shown in the figures, without the bagholder section 12. The bag storage container 40 may be attached to asurface by suitable fastening means, such as screws, glue or tape. Thebag storage container 40 may have a flat bottom to facilitate resting ona top surface, e.g., the inside bottom panel of an undersink cabinet.

The organizer can include sections and components made from metal and/orplastic, depending on factors such as designed load, desired aestheticappeal, and easy of maintenance (e.g. easy cleaning surfaces). Thesections and components in the bag holder section 12 and the bag storagesection 14 may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminium,etc.), appropriate rigid, semi-rigid or pliable plastics or rubber(e.g., PVC, polyeurathane, etc.), or other synthetic or naturalmaterials. Further, their surfaces may be appropriately finished, e.g.,painted, chromed, coated, plated, polished, textured, etc. The selectionof the material and finish can provide an aesthetic structure inaddition to the functional aspects. Generally, it is desirable toprovide a structure and finish that is generally smooth, i.e., withoutstructural seams, joints or sharp bents across its surface.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an organizer in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, showing a contrast in the materialsfor various parts. The sections shown by stippling may correspond toplastic material, and the remaining sections may be metal material. Forexample, the side cylindrical wall of the bag storage container mayinclude a polished stainless steel wall or finish.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madewithout departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention.A person skilled in the art will recognize that the organizerincorporating the essence of this invention can also be used for storageof other types of collapsible items made from plastic or paper.Accordingly, the disclosed invention is to be considered merely asillustrative and limited in scope only as specified in the appendedclaims.

1. An organizer for a plastic bag, comprising: a bag holder section thatcomprises: a support frame comprising a bag support bracket defining aspace sized to receive a plastic bag; and two spaced apart handlesextending below and spaced apart from the bag support bracket, eachextending from a rear and terminating at a front, each handle comprisingan anchor by which a handle of the plastic bag can be held to keep theplastic bag open for accepting trash.
 2. The organizer as in claim 1,further comprising a cover hingedly supported by the bag supportbracket, and adapted to substantially cover the opening of the bagsupport bracket, thus covering opening of the plastic bag when it issupported by the bag support bracket.
 3. The organizer as in claim 1,wherein the bag support bracket comprises a closed loop frame.
 4. Theorganizer as in claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises a tab extending todefine a U-shaped channel along which the handle of the plastic bag canbe held.
 5. The organizer as in claim 1, wherein the support framefurther comprises at least one cross frame section spaced apart andbelow the bag support bracket, which cross frame section terminates ateach end with the handles.
 6. The organizer as in claim 5, wherein thecross frame section are coupled to the bag support bracket by at leastone vertical frame section.
 7. The organizer as in claim 1, furthercomprising a bag storage section supporting the bag holder section. 8.The organizer as in claim 7, wherein the bag storage section comprises astorage container.
 9. The organizer as in claim 8, wherein the storagecontainer comprises at least one funnel-shaped inlet.
 10. The organizeras in claim 8, wherein the storage container comprises a funnel-shapedinlet at each end of the storage container.
 11. The organizer as inclaim 8, wherein the storage container comprised an elongated body,which comprises an elongated opening extending along the elongated body.12. The organizer as in claim 8, wherein the storage container isprovided with a trough shaped surface at one side of the elongated bodywhich faces the bag supporting bracket.
 13. An organizer for plasticbags, comprising: a bag storage section structured to store plasticbags; a bag holder section supported on the bag storage section,structured to hold a plastic bag above the bag storage section and in anopen position for depositing trash.
 14. The organizer as in claim 13,wherein the bag holder section comprises: a support frame comprising abag support bracket defining a space sized to receive a plastic bag; andtwo spaced apart handles extending below and spaced apart from the bagsupport bracket, each extending from a rear and terminating at a front,each handle comprising an anchor by which a handle of the plastic bagcan be held to keep the plastic bag open for depositing trash.
 15. Theorganizer as in claim 14, further comprising a cover hingedly supportedby the bag support bracket, and adapted to substantially cover theopening of the bag support bracket, thus covering opening of the plasticbag when it is supported by the bag support bracket.
 16. The organizeras in claim 13, wherein the bag holder section comprises a bag storagecontainer having an inlet opening and an outlet opening.
 17. Theorganizer as in claim 16, wherein the bag storage container comprises:an elongated body having two ends; and a funnel-shaped inlet openingdefined in at least one of the ends.
 18. The organizer as in claim 17,wherein the bag storage container further comprises an elongated openingextending along the elongated body.
 19. The organizer as in claim 16,further comprising a trough shaped surface on one side of the elongatedbody facing the bag holder section.
 20. An organizer for plastic bags,comprising: a bag storage container, which comprises an elongated bodyhaving two ends; a funnel-shaped inlet defined in at least one of theends; and an elongated opening extending along the elongated body. 21.The organizer as in claim 20, further comprising a trough shaped surfaceon one side of the elongated body.
 22. The organizer as in claim 21,further comprising a bag holder section supported by the bag storagecontainer.